Raw Deal

Unrated

5/21/19481h 19m

Theatrical (limited) Release (US)

~ Bullets! Women! -- Can't Hold a Man Like That! ~

Overview:

Joe Sullivan is itching to get out of prison. He's taken the rap for his accomplice Rick, a sadistic mobster who owes him $50,000 from the job they pulled. Rick sets up an escape for Joe, assuming that Joe will be killed while fleeing. But with the help of his love-struck girl Pat and his sympathetic legal caseworker Ann, Joe gets further than Rick intended...

Director:

Anthony Mann

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

prison
gangster
man between two women
getaway car
revenge
film noir
prison break
moll
police manhunt
woman's story

Cast

Dennis O'Keefe

~ as ~

Joe Sullivan

Claire Trevor

~ as ~

Pat Cameron

Marsha Hunt

~ as ~

Ann Martin

John Ireland

~ as ~

Fantail

Raymond Burr

~ as ~

Rick Coyle

Curt Conway

~ as ~

Spider

Chili Williams

~ as ~

Marcy

Richard Fraser

~ as ~

Fields

Whit Bissell

~ as ~

Murderer

Cliff Clark

~ as ~

Gates

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 2 year(s) ago
7
Anthony Mann packs quite a lot into eighty minutes in this quickly paced and engagingly intricate film noir. "Joe" (Dennis O'Keefe) faces festering in jail for years after helping out his duplicitous pal "Coyle" (Raymond Burr) who now owes him $50k. An escape plan almost goes awry and reveals to "Joe" and feisty girlfriend "Pat" (Claire Trevor) that his friend is not exactly trustworthy. What now ensues drags in poor "Ann" (Marsha Hunt) as "Joe" tries to exact his revenge, get his cash, and escape to Mexico - all whilst being pursued by hitman "Fantail" (an adequate John Ireland). What's a little unique about this, is that the two women have stronger - and more independent - storylines. They both fall for "Joe", and are both aware that the other has an interest, but these are no shrinking violets and though of completely differing characters, there is plenty of attitude on display to complement the more traditional (and predictable) elements of the chase. Burr was never very good at menacing, and here is no different but he only features sparingly as we gradually discover whether or not "Joe" is really a brute. It's not too wordy, there is enough action and counter-plotting to keep it interesting and I'd say - if you like the genre - is at the better end of the spectrum and well worth a watch.